Education is a timely and costly endeavor. In elementary school students are prepping for the challenges of middle school. Once in middle school they are looking towards the right high school. In high school they are preparing for University! Since the average family does not have a cache of spare time or money, maneuvering the sea of scholarships and grants becomes a time-consuming headache.
WHERE TO BEGIN??
First, let’s start with grant vs. scholarship.
Grants are given according to financial need, meaning they are usually reserved for lower income families. Grants are given by schools, nonprofits, states, and the federal government. For federal aid go to the FAFSA website (https://studentaid.gov). *The application deadline this year is Oct. 31st.
Scholarships are different in that they are based on particular qualities or academic acumen. As there are many scholarships the real time saving trick is “Know Thy Self”. What makes your student uniquely them? When you hone down what type of person your student is, it will help cut down the research.
3 Popular Scholarships:
Academic/Merit Aid
Academic/Merit Aid scholarships are given based on a student’s skill or academic abilities. Usually, a student must maintain a certain GPA to receive this aid. If your GPA and standardized test scores are high enough, you may receive a full ride to your university. If students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and qualify, they can resource The National Merit Scholarship Program.
In terms of academics, some non-profits and private companies will ask a student to write an essay. The organization will often base the grant only on the essay and not on an overall GPA. If your student is a good writer I would suggest visiting: https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/essay-scholarships/
Athletic
If you are a stand out athlete there are athletic scholarships. These scholarships are beneficial to colleges because they help attract/recruit athletes to play for them. However, only 1% to 2% of undergraduate students receive athletic scholarships, and they are usually partial scholarships. It is common that this aid requires a student to maintain a level of leadership, behavior and a minimum GPA.
Diversity/Identity
In an effort to support marginalized communities, Identity Scholarships are awarded for race, ethnicity, gender, and religion. Often the goal is to promote participation in activities or groups that have been historically homogenous. These scholarships are often outside parties such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund or BIPOC Scholarship for LGBTQ students. (BIPOC Scholarship for LGBTQ Students,Hispanic Scholarship Fund.)
Furthermore, there are scholarships for Musical Abilities, Military, Extracurricular, Unique Traits, Community Service and so on. In other words, if you have a Chess kid look for a Chess Scholarship-chances are, they are out there. Start early, and be efficient, use what you have! Rather than thinking about this as a chore, enjoy highlighting the qualities that make your student special.
